In 1986, Angela Adams, social work and Africana studies '89, was introduced to the gritty
reality of Baltimore City slums. A class project required the track and field and cross-country
athlete to knock on doors of Baltimore City tenants and inquire about their living conditions.
The data collected provided the legal system with evidence of slumlords' negligence. The experience
made an impact-on the condition of Baltimore City low-income housing and on Adams' career path.
Given Adams' interest in working for social progress, her career comes as no surprise. She is
employed at Quadel Consulting Corporation, a woman-owned firm in Washington, DC that provides
services to the low-income housing industry and HUD. Adams' role requires her to spend a lot of time
in airplanes; she travels to cities throughout the country providing assistance to troubled housing
agencies.
As a student at UMBC, Adams was drawn to projects that helped affect change. That's why
she joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. "They were involved in all sorts of political causes.
I really wanted to be a part of that," states Adams. She still keeps in touch with her "sisters"
via email.
The commitment of employees like Adams has made Quadel internationally renowned. The company has
provided services as far away as Guam, Russia and Puerto Rico. "We're the model that everybody's
watching," states Adams with confidence. Leadership comes naturally to her, and has since her days
at UMBC.
On February 19, 1994, Adams made UMBC history for her leadership in athletics. She became the
first African American female inducted into the UMBC Athletic Hall of Fame. Originally a track
and field runner, she was pressured into running cross-country by her coach, who needed more
bodies to carry the team. After a reluctant start in her freshman year, Adams became the school's
second fastest cross-country runner.
Adams' stamina may come partly from the requisite early morning runs she endured during
her stint in the Army. At the very least, Adams attributes her preparedness for college--particularly
the discipline it required--to her Army days, which she hasn't completely abandoned. She's currently
in the reserves.
While stationed in Germany, Adams decided it was time for college. Pulling out a map, she told
her bunk mates, "I'll close my eyes and go to college wherever my finger lands." Her finger landed
near the University of Maryland. Later that year as she toured the UMBC campus, Adams thought she
was at College Park.
In retrospect, it all worked out for the best. At the larger campus, Adams says she "would
have been lost in the crowd." At UMBC, she made her mark.
Elizabeth Heubeck received a master's degree in publication design from the University of
Baltimore. She is publications editor at Kennedy Krieger Institute.
